A substantial earthquake struck off the eastern coastline of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon, causing structures to sway and sparking worry across several regions. The seismic event, which occurred at 3:45 pm local time, was widely felt, although there were no immediate reports of any destruction.
Epicentre Located in the Pacific Ocean Near Yilan
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA), the quake was measured at a magnitude of 6.2 and was situated 128.9 kilometres east-southeast of the Yilan County Hall, deep within the Pacific Ocean. Its depth was determined to be 88.1 kilometres, classifying it as a moderately deep geological event.
Varying Intensity Levels Across the Island
The most powerful tremors, registering at level 3 on Taiwan’s seven-point intensity scale, were experienced in the counties of Yilan, Hualien, Nantou, Taichung, and Taitung. Numerous other locations, including New Taipei City, Taipei, Keelung, Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and Chiayi City, among others, felt a lesser intensity of level 2.
Taiwan’s seismic intensity scale is designed to quantify the perceived strength of an earthquake at a given spot, with ratings from level 1 (the weakest) to level 7 (the strongest).
No Immediate Casualties or Damage Reported
Despite the quake’s high magnitude and extensive reach, there have been no immediate announcements of casualties or significant damage to buildings. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and are assessing for any potential aftershocks or safety issues.
